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Healthcare
8 min read
Areas of Expertise :
Toxicology, Medical Toxicology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Addiction Medicine
Published Date:
Last Modified Date:
Jurisdiction:
Federal. Ninth Circuit
On October 28, 2023, actor Matthew Perry was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles residence. The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner later determined that Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine. Drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine were listed as contributing factors. The manner of death was ruled accidental.
Federal investigators then examined how Perry obtained ketamine outside supervised medical care. Prosecutors charged five people: Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, who were physicians at the time of the charged conduct; Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; intermediary Erik Fleming; and supplier Jasveen Sangha. By May 27, 2026, all five defendants had pleaded guilty and had been sentenced. The federal case focused on how ketamine was supplied, who administered it, what safeguards were absent, and how the drug chain related to Perry’s death. The record involved medical-examiner findings, toxicology evidence, federal drug-distribution law, physician conduct, at-home ketamine injections, and causation evidence.
Matthew Perry was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles residence and was later pronounced dead. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner began an investigation that included an autopsy and toxicology testing to determine the cause and manner of death.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner certified Perry’s cause of death as the acute effects of ketamine. The agency listed drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine as contributing factors. The manner of death was ruled accidental.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced federal charges against five individuals connected to an alleged ketamine distribution network. Prosecutors accused Salvador Plasencia of distributing ketamine outside the usual course of medical practice, including by providing ketamine to Perry and instructing Kenneth Iwamasa on how to administer injections.
The charging materials also alleged that Mark Chavez supplied ketamine to Plasencia through improper channels. Erik Fleming and Jasveen Sangha were accused of participating in the supply chain that provided ketamine later administered to Perry.
Kenneth Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Prosecutors stated that Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine without medical training, including injections on the day Perry died. Erik Fleming also pleaded guilty to federal ketamine-distribution charges. He admitted that he obtained ketamine from Jasveen Sangha and supplied it to Iwamasa.
Mark Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Prosecutors stated that Chavez supplied ketamine to Plasencia and obtained additional quantities through false statements to a wholesale distributor and through a fraudulent prescription. Chavez surrendered his medical license in November 2024. Later sentencing materials and public coverage described him as a former physician.
Salvador Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine. Prosecutors alleged that Plasencia continued supplying the drug despite knowledge of Perry’s substance-use history and the lack of medical supervision during at-home administration. Plasencia surrendered his California medical license in September 2025.
Jasveen Sangha pleaded guilty to multiple federal drug charges, including maintaining a drug-involved premises and distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Prosecutors stated that Sangha and Fleming supplied ketamine that was later administered to Perry by Iwamasa.
Perry received 51 vials of ketamine in October 2023 through the distribution chain involving Sangha, Fleming, and Iwamasa.
On December 3, 2025, former physician Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and fined $5,600. He was remanded to custody after sentencing. On December 16, 2025, former physician Mark Chavez was sentenced to three years of probation, including eight months of home detention, and 300 hours of community service.
Jasveen Sangha was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison after her guilty plea. Prosecutors described her as operating a drug-distribution operation from her residence and supplying ketamine connected to Perry’s death. The sentencing record also referenced a prior ketamine-related incident involving another overdose death.
Erik Fleming was sentenced to two years in federal prison. Sentencing coverage also reported a three-year supervised-release term. Prosecutors stated that Fleming acted as an intermediary by obtaining ketamine from Sangha and transferring it to Iwamasa.
Kenneth Iwamasa was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and fined $10,000. The U.S. Attorney’s Office identified him as the fifth and final defendant sentenced in connection with Perry’s death.
According to prosecutors, Iwamasa repeatedly administered ketamine injections without medical training, including injections on the day Perry died. Prosecutors also described post-incident conduct involving omitted information, deleted communications, and removal or destruction of ketamine-related evidence.
Court:
United States District Court for the Central District of California
Case Name:
United States of America v. Jasveen Sangha and Salvador Plasencia
Cause of Death
Prescription Drug Abuse
Drug Regulation
Drug enforcement administration
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
Psychoactive drugs
Medical Records Review
Medical Ethics
Criminal Justice
On October 28, 2023, actor Matthew Perry was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles residence. The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner later determined that Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine. Drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine were listed as contributing factors. The manner of death was ruled accidental.
Federal investigators then examined how Perry obtained ketamine outside supervised medical care. Prosecutors charged five people: Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, who were physicians at the time of the charged conduct; Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; intermediary Erik Fleming; and supplier Jasveen Sangha. By May 27, 2026, all five defendants had pleaded guilty and had been sentenced. The federal case focused on how ketamine was supplied, who administered it, what safeguards were absent, and how the drug chain related to Perry’s death. The record involved medical-examiner findings, toxicology evidence, federal drug-distribution law, physician conduct, at-home ketamine injections, and causation evidence.
Matthew Perry was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles residence and was later pronounced dead. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner began an investigation that included an autopsy and toxicology testing to determine the cause and manner of death.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner certified Perry’s cause of death as the acute effects of ketamine. The agency listed drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine as contributing factors. The manner of death was ruled accidental.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced federal charges against five individuals connected to an alleged ketamine distribution network. Prosecutors accused Salvador Plasencia of distributing ketamine outside the usual course of medical practice, including by providing ketamine to Perry and instructing Kenneth Iwamasa on how to administer injections.
The charging materials also alleged that Mark Chavez supplied ketamine to Plasencia through improper channels. Erik Fleming and Jasveen Sangha were accused of participating in the supply chain that provided ketamine later administered to Perry.
Kenneth Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Prosecutors stated that Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine without medical training, including injections on the day Perry died. Erik Fleming also pleaded guilty to federal ketamine-distribution charges. He admitted that he obtained ketamine from Jasveen Sangha and supplied it to Iwamasa.
Mark Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Prosecutors stated that Chavez supplied ketamine to Plasencia and obtained additional quantities through false statements to a wholesale distributor and through a fraudulent prescription. Chavez surrendered his medical license in November 2024. Later sentencing materials and public coverage described him as a former physician.
Salvador Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine. Prosecutors alleged that Plasencia continued supplying the drug despite knowledge of Perry’s substance-use history and the lack of medical supervision during at-home administration. Plasencia surrendered his California medical license in September 2025.
Jasveen Sangha pleaded guilty to multiple federal drug charges, including maintaining a drug-involved premises and distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Prosecutors stated that Sangha and Fleming supplied ketamine that was later administered to Perry by Iwamasa.
Perry received 51 vials of ketamine in October 2023 through the distribution chain involving Sangha, Fleming, and Iwamasa.
On December 3, 2025, former physician Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and fined $5,600. He was remanded to custody after sentencing. On December 16, 2025, former physician Mark Chavez was sentenced to three years of probation, including eight months of home detention, and 300 hours of community service.
Jasveen Sangha was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison after her guilty plea. Prosecutors described her as operating a drug-distribution operation from her residence and supplying ketamine connected to Perry’s death. The sentencing record also referenced a prior ketamine-related incident involving another overdose death.
Erik Fleming was sentenced to two years in federal prison. Sentencing coverage also reported a three-year supervised-release term. Prosecutors stated that Fleming acted as an intermediary by obtaining ketamine from Sangha and transferring it to Iwamasa.
Kenneth Iwamasa was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and fined $10,000. The U.S. Attorney’s Office identified him as the fifth and final defendant sentenced in connection with Perry’s death.
According to prosecutors, Iwamasa repeatedly administered ketamine injections without medical training, including injections on the day Perry died. Prosecutors also described post-incident conduct involving omitted information, deleted communications, and removal or destruction of ketamine-related evidence.
Toxicology Expert Witness
Forensic toxicologists analyze drug concentrations, routes of exposure, timing of use, and biological sample results. In a ketamine death case, this work may address whether drug levels are consistent with therapeutic use, recent administration, toxicity, or mixed-drug effects. In Perry’s case, this discipline would relate to the medical-examiner finding that ketamine was the cause of death and to the role of contributing conditions.
Medical Toxicology Expert Witness
Medical toxicology experts evaluate how ketamine affects the body, including dosing ranges, adverse reactions, respiratory effects, cardiovascular effects, sedation, dissociation, and risks when the drug is used outside monitored medical care. This type of testimony may help explain how ketamine use can impair consciousness, movement, judgment, or breathing and how those effects can interact with water exposure or underlying health conditions.
Pathology Expert Witness
Forensic pathologists determine cause and manner of death by reviewing autopsy findings, toxicology results, medical history, scene evidence, and contributing conditions. In Perry’s case, the public medical-examiner record identified ketamine as the cause of death and listed drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects as contributing factors.
Controlled-Substance Accountability Can Extend Beyond the Prescriber
The Perry prosecution involved physicians, a personal assistant, an intermediary, and a supplier. Prosecutors traced ketamine through each person alleged to have helped obtain, transfer, or administer the drug. This type of federal drug case may involve multiple defendants even when one person directly administered the substance.
Ketamine Cases Often Depend on Toxicology and Causation Evidence
Ketamine-related cases may require analysis of drug concentration, timing, clinical use, adverse effects, and interaction with underlying health conditions. Causation evidence may also address whether the drug caused unconsciousness, respiratory compromise, cardiovascular stress, drowning risk, or other fatal effects.
At-Home Ketamine Administration Creates Documentation and Monitoring Risks
When ketamine is administered outside a clinic or hospital, attorneys may review who administered the drug, what training they had, whether monitoring occurred, and whether emergency safeguards were available. At-home administration can also raise questions about consent, dosing, medical records, and response planning if the patient becomes impaired.
Physician Conduct May Be Reviewed Through Medical and Controlled-Substance Standards
Licensed providers may face scrutiny when they distribute controlled substances without a documented medical purpose, adequate records, proper patient monitoring, or safe administration practices. In ketamine matters, the review may include prescribing records, communications, patient history, drug sourcing, and whether the medication was supplied or administered under accepted medical conditions.
Post-Incident Conduct Can Affect Federal Drug Case Strategy
The record included allegations about deleting messages, removing or destroying evidence, and omitting ketamine from emergency-response information. In controlled-substance cases, post-incident conduct may affect plea negotiations, sentencing arguments, witness credibility, and the overall theory of the case.
The Matthew Perry ketamine case moved from a medical-examiner toxicology finding to a federal prosecution focused on how the drug reached Perry, who supplied it, and who administered it. Prosecutors traced ketamine through physicians, an intermediary, a supplier, and Perry’s assistant. Each defendant later entered a guilty plea.
By May 27, 2026, all five defendants had been sentenced. The final public record centered on unlawful distribution, repeated at-home injections, lack of medical supervision, and conduct that occurred before and after Perry’s death. It also involved toxicology evidence, medical records, prescribing decisions, and federal controlled-substance enforcement.
What caused Matthew Perry’s death?
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner determined that Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine. Drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects were listed as contributing factors.
How many people were charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death?
Federal prosecutors charged five people: Salvador Plasencia, Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, Erik Fleming, and Jasveen Sangha. All five pleaded guilty and were sentenced by May 27, 2026.
What sentence did Salvador Plasencia receive?
Former physician Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and fined $5,600. He pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine and surrendered his California medical license in September 2025.
Who received the longest sentence?
Jasveen Sangha received the longest sentence. She was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal drug charges that included distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
What was the role of the 51 ketamine vials in the prosecution?
Prosecutors stated that Iwamasa purchased 51 vials of ketamine from Fleming over 11 days in October 2023 and that Fleming obtained the ketamine from Sangha. The government’s sentencing account stated that Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine from that supply, including on the day Perry died.
Toxicology Expert Witness
Forensic toxicologists analyze drug concentrations, routes of exposure, timing of use, and biological sample results. In a ketamine death case, this work may address whether drug levels are consistent with therapeutic use, recent administration, toxicity, or mixed-drug effects. In Perry’s case, this discipline would relate to the medical-examiner finding that ketamine was the cause of death and to the role of contributing conditions.
Medical Toxicology Expert Witness
Medical toxicology experts evaluate how ketamine affects the body, including dosing ranges, adverse reactions, respiratory effects, cardiovascular effects, sedation, dissociation, and risks when the drug is used outside monitored medical care. This type of testimony may help explain how ketamine use can impair consciousness, movement, judgment, or breathing and how those effects can interact with water exposure or underlying health conditions.
Pathology Expert Witness
Forensic pathologists determine cause and manner of death by reviewing autopsy findings, toxicology results, medical history, scene evidence, and contributing conditions. In Perry’s case, the public medical-examiner record identified ketamine as the cause of death and listed drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects as contributing factors.
Controlled-Substance Accountability Can Extend Beyond the Prescriber
The Perry prosecution involved physicians, a personal assistant, an intermediary, and a supplier. Prosecutors traced ketamine through each person alleged to have helped obtain, transfer, or administer the drug. This type of federal drug case may involve multiple defendants even when one person directly administered the substance.
Ketamine Cases Often Depend on Toxicology and Causation Evidence
Ketamine-related cases may require analysis of drug concentration, timing, clinical use, adverse effects, and interaction with underlying health conditions. Causation evidence may also address whether the drug caused unconsciousness, respiratory compromise, cardiovascular stress, drowning risk, or other fatal effects.
At-Home Ketamine Administration Creates Documentation and Monitoring Risks
When ketamine is administered outside a clinic or hospital, attorneys may review who administered the drug, what training they had, whether monitoring occurred, and whether emergency safeguards were available. At-home administration can also raise questions about consent, dosing, medical records, and response planning if the patient becomes impaired.
Physician Conduct May Be Reviewed Through Medical and Controlled-Substance Standards
Licensed providers may face scrutiny when they distribute controlled substances without a documented medical purpose, adequate records, proper patient monitoring, or safe administration practices. In ketamine matters, the review may include prescribing records, communications, patient history, drug sourcing, and whether the medication was supplied or administered under accepted medical conditions.
Post-Incident Conduct Can Affect Federal Drug Case Strategy
The record included allegations about deleting messages, removing or destroying evidence, and omitting ketamine from emergency-response information. In controlled-substance cases, post-incident conduct may affect plea negotiations, sentencing arguments, witness credibility, and the overall theory of the case.
The Matthew Perry ketamine case moved from a medical-examiner toxicology finding to a federal prosecution focused on how the drug reached Perry, who supplied it, and who administered it. Prosecutors traced ketamine through physicians, an intermediary, a supplier, and Perry’s assistant. Each defendant later entered a guilty plea.
By May 27, 2026, all five defendants had been sentenced. The final public record centered on unlawful distribution, repeated at-home injections, lack of medical supervision, and conduct that occurred before and after Perry’s death. It also involved toxicology evidence, medical records, prescribing decisions, and federal controlled-substance enforcement.
What caused Matthew Perry’s death?
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner determined that Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine. Drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects were listed as contributing factors.
How many people were charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death?
Federal prosecutors charged five people: Salvador Plasencia, Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, Erik Fleming, and Jasveen Sangha. All five pleaded guilty and were sentenced by May 27, 2026.
What sentence did Salvador Plasencia receive?
Former physician Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and fined $5,600. He pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine and surrendered his California medical license in September 2025.
Who received the longest sentence?
Jasveen Sangha received the longest sentence. She was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal drug charges that included distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
What was the role of the 51 ketamine vials in the prosecution?
Prosecutors stated that Iwamasa purchased 51 vials of ketamine from Fleming over 11 days in October 2023 and that Fleming obtained the ketamine from Sangha. The government’s sentencing account stated that Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine from that supply, including on the day Perry died.
Cause of Death
Prescription Drug Abuse
Drug Regulation
Drug enforcement administration
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
Psychoactive drugs
Medical Records Review
Medical Ethics
Criminal Justice
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